I made Sunday a rest day. I lingered @ camp spot in democrat Gulch. Two riders descended the short hill on the gravel road to my spot. I heard a woman’s voice I recognized. It was Mars from Spokane. I heard the she and friend Rick where somewhere near but no connection was made. They rode this ride because Rick’s truck’s electrical system took a holiday and left them stranded in downtown Hailey. I kept to my rest as they rode away. We ate dinner in Hailey later in the evening and I went back to Democrat. I offered to drive them around on Monday while the truck was being repaired. Monday Mars called to say they were going to stay close to the repair shop so they could dash out of town heading back to Spokane if and when the truck was running.
I had Monday to myself to attend to my non resolved breathing issue. I drove to the clinic in town, no longer is there an urgent care facility. Holy cold stethoscope: I scored an appointment for late afternoon w/ a DR. He spent time listening to my breathing which is clear. He believes my dry cough was not killed w/ the 3 day does of antibiotics so he prescribed 10 days worth. The chest pain is perhaps from deep muscle strain of the rib muscles. I accepted the chest Xray to learn if there was something else causing the pain. So, 10 days of antibiotics, musenex and an Xray for today. Last night I noticed freer breathing causing me to look forward to today’s ride.
Warm enough last night to sleep w/ the slider open covered by the netting. Plan was to get riding by 8:30 from camp of the Croy canyon trails then go into town for the Xray.
I pedaled out on time under a cloudless blue sky, low humidity and rising temperature. The ride went up Lambs gulch where 2 hibernaculums for rattlesnakes are known to exist. The trail is in the bottom of the canyon, some of it narrow single track below grade bordered by dense sage brush, perfect condition for rattlesnakes. I found the above beauty fortunately on a double track section. Excellent trails here. I saw 2 women riding together and we stopped to visit. They have seen my van around. While we were talking a wasp dug a cave in the dirt in the trail. It’s goal was to stuff a katydid into the cave. My biology knowledge recalled parasitic wasps that sting their specific insect prey that paralyzes it. An egg is laid in the prey which then supplies nourishment for the metamorphosing wasp. Nature’s way of taking care of things. I continued on my ride of 14.97 miles climbing 2179′ but burning only808 calories in just under 2 hours. I sure was dessicated from the heat and effort.
I drove into Hailey to the clinic for the Xray. The order didn’t get communicated so no photo shoot, come back in an hour. I visited Chip’s shop biding my time. Back again for the Xray. No info shared other than the tech and I looked @ my right previously fractured collar bone which still shows unknitted bone ends. It didn’t look good.
Next up was driving to Ketchum Y for a shower. Friend Steve and Mia are taking me to dinner. Mia was playing @ the Farmers’ Market in downtown. I wandered around the market. Steve arrived. Mia’s gig was over, we helped her pack up her stuff and load it into the car. Dinner @ an Italian restaurant. They returned to Bellvue S of Hailey. I drove out to Trail Creek camp spot. Still warm enough for the open slider.
Tomorrow is a ride up here then back to Hailey for Chip to change the fork oil.
NOAA forecast for Hailey called for highs in 70s where I would like to be as the valley temp was in the low 90s.
